Irreversible locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of an irreversible locking mechanism are presented herein. According to one embodiment, an irreversible locking mechanism comprises a body, a gate, and a spring-loaded pin. The body comprises two opposing ends separated by a gap. The gate is supported by a first of the two opposing ends and advances from the first opposing end to span the gap and engage a second of the two opposing ends such that the gate is engaged with the first and second opposing ends of the body. The gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to locking mechanisms and, more particularly, to locking mechanisms that are configured to assume and maintain a closed loop clip profile with transition of a gate of the locking mechanism to an irreversible locked state.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an irreversible locking mechanism comprises a body, a gate, and a spring-loaded pin. The body comprises two opposing ends separated by a gap. The gate is supported by a first of the two opposing ends and advances from the first opposing end to span the gap and engage a second of the two opposing ends such that the gate is engaged with the first and second opposing ends of the body. The gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is substantially depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an interior channel of the gate comprises a threaded surface complimentary to threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends of the body. In this embodiment, the gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is substantially depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate such that a pin of the spring-loaded pin is positioned partially within the seat and partially within the catch so as to irreversibly lock the engagement of the gate with the first and second opposing ends of the body. The gate transitions from the advancing state to the locked state by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel of the gate along the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an irreversible locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of the irreversible locking mechanism in a locked state according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an irreversible locking mechanism in an advancing state according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an isolated view of a gate of an irreversible locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and are not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual aspects of the drawings and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an irreversible locking mechanism 10 generally comprises a body 12, a gate 14, and a spring-loaded pin 16. The body 12 comprises two opposing ends 18, 20 separated by a gap G. The gate 14 is supported by a first 18 of the two opposing ends 18, 20 of the body 12. The gate 14 advances from the first opposing end 18 to span the gap G and engage a second 20 of the two opposing ends 18, 20. Thereby, the gate 14, while spanning the gap G, may be engaged with the first and second opposing ends 18, 20 of the body 12. As such, the gap G is accessible and the locking mechanism 10 is open to the receipt or withdrawal of an object when the gate 14 is engaged solely with the first opposing end 18, as shown in FIG. 3. The gap G, however, is inaccessible and the locking mechanism 10 is closed off from the receipt or withdrawal of an object when the gate 14 is engaged with both the first and second opposing ends 18, 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The gate 14 transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin 16 is substantially depressed within a seat 22 in the first opposing end 18 by the gate 14 and the gate 14 is free to span the gap G, shown in FIG. 3, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate 14 engages the second opposing end 20 and the spring-loaded pin 16 projects from the seat 22 in the first opposing end 18 into a catch 24 in the gate 14, shown in FIG. 2. More particularly, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4, the catch 24 is a cavity in an interior channel 26 of the gate 14. A wall of the interior channel 26 of the gate 14 depresses the spring-loaded pin 16 in the seat 22 in the first opposing end 18 until the catch 24 is positioned substantially entirely over the seat 22 and the spring-loaded pin 16 such that the spring-loaded pin 16 projects from the seat 22 into the catch 24 in the gate 14. As used herein, the terms “seat” and “catch” mean any cavity, depression, hole, projection, or other structural formation in the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 and in the gate 14, respectively, that may seat a spring 32 of the spring-loaded pin 16 and catch a pin 34 of the spring-loaded pin 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat 22 in the first opposing end 18 generally comprises an opening end 28 and a terminating end 30. The opening end 28 may open to the gate 14, while the terminating end 30 may terminate within the first opposing end 18 of the body 12. For example, the seat 22 may be a drill hole that extends partially through the first opposing end 18. The spring-loaded pin 16 may be positioned within the seat 22 such that a spring 32 of the spring-loaded pin 16 is positioned proximal to the terminating end 30 of the seat 22, while a pin 34 of the spring-loaded pin 16 is positioned proximal to the opening end 28 of the seat 22. Thereby, the terminating end 30 may provide support to the spring 32 of the spring-loaded pin 16 in the seat 22 such that when the spring-loaded pin 16 projects into the catch 24 in the gate 14, the spring 32 and the pin 34 are directionally projected toward the opening end 34 of the seat 22 and the catch 24 in the gate 14. Further, the spring-loaded pin 16 may be configured such that, with the projection of the spring-loaded pin 16 from the seat 22 into the catch 24, the pin 34 is positioned partially within the seat 22 and partially within the catch 24 so as to irreversibly lock an engagement of the gate 14 with the first and second opposing ends 18, 20 of the body 12.

The engagement between the gate 14 and the first and second opposing ends 18, 20 of the body 12 may be achieved through one of any variety of engagements. According to one embodiment of an irreversible locking mechanism 10, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second opposing ends 18, 20 comprise threaded exterior surfaces and an interior channel 26 of the gate 14 comprises a threaded surface complimentary to the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends 18, 20. In this embodiment, the gate 14 advances from the first opposing end 18 and engages the second opposing end 20 by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel 26 of the gate 14 along the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends 18, 20.

According to another embodiment of an irreversible locking mechanism 10, the gate 14 comprises a spring within an interior channel 26 of the gate 14 such that the gate 14 is spring-loaded about the first opposing end 18 of the body 12. More particularly, for example, a first end of the spring may be connected to the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 proximal to a seat 22, while a second end of the spring may be connected to the gate 14 proximal to a catch 24. Here, the spring-loaded gate 14 advances from the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 and engages the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 by advancing the spring-loaded gate 14 from the advancing state where the spring of the spring-loaded gate 14 is relaxed to the locked state where the spring is compressed.

Another embodiment of an irreversible locking mechanism 10 further comprises a sleeve. In this embodiment, the gate 14 is pivotally engaged with the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 such that the gate 14 may pivot between an open position where the gate 14 is not engaged with the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 and a closed position where the gate 12 is engaged with the second opposing end 20. The sleeve is supported by the gate 14 and advances from proximal to the first opposing end 18 to advance a length of the gate 14 and cover an engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 when the gate 14 is in the closed position. The sleeve may transition from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin 16 is substantially depressed within a seat in the gate 14 by the sleeve and the sleeve is free to advance a length of the gate 14, to a locked state, where the sleeve covers the engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 and the spring-loaded pin 16 projects from the seat in the gate 14 into a catch of the sleeve. This transition of the sleeve to the locked state is irreversible without substantial destruction of the locking mechanism 10.

The gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 may comprise threaded exterior surfaces, while an interior channel of the sleeve comprises a threaded surface complimentary to the threaded exterior surfaces of the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20. The sleeve may advance from the first opposing end 18 and cover the engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel of the sleeve along the threaded exterior surfaces of the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20. Alternatively, the sleeve may comprise a spring within an interior channel of the sleeve such that the sleeve is spring-loaded about the gate 14. Here, a first end of the spring may be connected to the gate 14 proximal to the seat in the gate 14, while a second end of the spring may be connected to the sleeve proximal to the catch in the sleeve. The spring-loaded sleeve may advance from proximal to the first opposing end 18 of the body 12 and cover the engagement between the gate 14 and the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 by advancing the spring-loaded sleeve from the advancing state where the spring of the spring-loaded sleeve is relaxed to the locked state where the spring is compressed.

The body 12 may comprise any shape suitable for performing the purposes of the body 12 and the irreversible locking mechanism 10 described herein. For example, the body may comprise a C shape, as shown in FIG. 1, a D shape, an offset D shape, a pear shape, or other shape. As such, the locking mechanism 10 is configured such that, with the transition of the gate 14 to the locked state, the locking mechanism 10 thereafter maintains a closed loop clip profile, as, for example, shown in FIG. 1 where the locking mechanism 10 resembles a carabiner. Thereby, the locking mechanism 10 may be configured to cooperate with existing hardware on gates, doors, latches, etc., to help restrict access to a site, machinery, materials, or any information or object held in an enclosure or any secure environment. More generally, the locking mechanism 10 may be used to secure two or more objects together, particularly where the objects include hardware to which the locking mechanism may be clipped or latched.

In addition, the body 12 and the gate 14 generally are configured substantially of a strong, resilient material, such as aluminum, steel, high strength alloys, etc. As such, the irreversible locking mechanism 10 is substantially resistant to structural deformity or other significant damage or destruction.

The transition of the gate 14 to the locked state is irreversible without substantial destruction of the locking mechanism 10. As used herein, “substantial destruction” means that, once the gate 14 has spanned the gap G or assumed a closed position and engaged with the second opposing end 20 of the body 12 to close the locking mechanism 10, the locking mechanism 10 cannot be re-opened at the gap G or at another area of the mechanism 10 without destructive division of the body 12 and/or the gate 14. For example, a tool, such as a saw or a bolt cutter, may be used to physically, destructively divide an area of the locking mechanism 10 to re-access the gap G or to create a new gap in the locking mechanism 10.

It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the present invention being “configured” in a particular way or to embody a particular property, or function in a particular manner, are structural recitations as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.

It is noted that terms like “generally” and “typically,” when utilized herein, are not utilized to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to identify particular aspects of an embodiment of the present invention or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the terms “substantially” and “approximately” are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms “substantially” and “approximately” are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention. 

1. An irreversible locking mechanism comprising a body, a gate, and a spring-loaded pin, wherein: the body comprises two opposing ends separated by a gap; the gate is supported by a first of the two opposing ends and advances from the first opposing end to span the gap and engage a second of the two opposing ends such that the gate is engaged with the first and second opposing ends of the body; and the gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is substantially depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate.
 2. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that, with the transition of the gate to the locked state, the locking mechanism thereafter maintains a closed loop clip profile.
 3. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the seat comprises an opening end and a terminating end; and the opening end opens to the gate, while the terminating end terminates within the first opposing end of the body.
 4. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 3, wherein the spring-loaded pin is positioned within the seat such that a spring of the spring-loaded pin is positioned proximal to the terminating end of the seat, while a pin of the spring-loaded pin is positioned proximal to the opening end of the seat.
 5. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 4, the spring-loaded pin is configured such that, with the projection of the spring-loaded pin from the seat into the catch, the pin is positioned partially within the seat and partially within the catch so as to irreversibly lock the engagement of the gate with the first and second opposing ends of the body.
 6. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the catch is a cavity in an interior channel of the gate such that a wall of the interior channel depresses the spring-loaded pin in the seat in the first opposing end until the catch is positioned substantially entirely over the seat and the spring-loaded pin such that the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat into the catch in the gate.
 7. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the first and second opposing ends of the body comprise threaded exterior surfaces; and an interior channel of the gate comprises a threaded surface complimentary to the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends.
 8. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 7, wherein the gate advances from the first opposing end of the body and engages the second end of the body by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel of the gate along the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends.
 9. An irreversible locking mechanism comprising a body, a gate, and a spring-loaded pin, wherein: the body comprises two opposing ends separated by a gap; the gate is supported by a first of the two opposing ends and advances from the first opposing end to span the gap and engage a second of the two opposing ends such that the gate is engaged with the first and second opposing ends of the body; an interior channel of the gate comprises a threaded surface complimentary to threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends; the gate transitions from an advancing state, where the spring-loaded pin is substantially depressed within a seat in the first opposing end by the gate and the gate is free to span the gap, to an irreversible locked state, where the gate engages the second opposing end and the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat in the first opposing end into a catch of the gate such that a pin of the spring-loaded pin is positioned partially within the seat and partially within the catch so as to irreversibly lock the engagement of the gate with the first and second opposing ends of the body; and the gate transitions from the advancing state to the locked state by rotating the threaded surface of the interior channel of the gate along the threaded exterior surfaces of the first and second opposing ends.
 10. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that, with the transition of the gate to the locked state, the locking mechanism thereafter maintains a closed loop clip profile.
 11. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein: the seat comprises an opening end and a terminating end; and the opening end opens to the gate, while the terminating end terminates within the first opposing end of the body.
 12. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 11, wherein the spring-loaded pin is positioned within the seat such that a spring of the spring-loaded pin is positioned proximal to the terminating end of the seat, while a pin of the spring-loaded pin is positioned proximal to the opening end of the seat.
 13. The irreversible locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein the catch is a cavity in the interior channel of the gate such that a wall of the interior channel depresses the spring-loaded pin in the seat in the first opposing end until the catch is positioned substantially entirely over the seat and the spring-loaded pin such that the spring-loaded pin projects from the seat into the catch in the gate. 